Characterizing the Interaction between Root-knot Nematodes and Soil-borne Fungi which are Pathogenic to Passion Fruit (Passiflora Edulis)

For decades there have been anecdotal claims of synergistic interactions between plant-parasitic nematodes and soil-borne fungi causing decline of productivity of passion fruit (Passiflora edulis) orchards. An empirical confirmation of these disease complexes would impact disease management and plant breeding for resistance. To test those claims, we subjected passion fruit plants to single or concomitant parasitism by Meloidogyne javanica or M. incognita and Fusarium nirenbergiae or Neocosmospora sp. under controlled conditions. Non-inoculated plants served as control for the assays. The severity of shoot symptoms and variables related to plant growth, the extent of fungal lesions, and nematode reproduction were assessed to characterize the interactions. The shoot symptoms and effect on plant growth induced by the pathogens varied, but no synergy between the pathogens was observed. Moreover, the volume of tissue lesioned by the fungi was not affected by co-parasitism of the nematodes. Conversely, plant resistance to the nematodes was not affected by co-parasitism of the fungi. The interactions M. incognita-F. nirenbergiae, M. incognita-Neocosmospora sp., M. javanica-F. nirenbergiae, and M. javanica-Neocosmospora sp. were not synergistic as previously claimed, but instead neutral.     

Nicotinamide riboside and caffeine partially restore diminished NAD availability but not altered energy metabolism in Alzheimer's disease

The redox co‐factor nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) declines with age, and NAD deficits are specifically associated with dysfunctional energy metabolism in late‐onset Alzheimer''s disease (LOAD). Nicotinamide riboside (NR), a dietary NAD precursor, has been suggested to ameliorate the aging process or neurodegeneration. We assessed whether NR with or without caffeine, which increases nicotinamide mononucleotide transferase subtype 2 (NMNAT2), an essential enzyme in NAD production, modulates bioenergetic functions in LOAD. In LOAD patients—and young or old control individuals—derived dermal fibroblasts as well as in induced pluripotent stem cell‐differentiated neural progenitors and astrocytes, NR and caffeine cell type‐specifically increased the NAD pool, transiently enhanced mitochondrial respiration or glycolysis and altered the expression of genes in the NAD synthesis or consumption pathways. However, continued treatment led to reversed bioenergetic effects. Importantly, NR and caffeine did not alter the characteristics of a previously documented inherent LOAD‐associated bioenergetic phenotype. Thus, although NR and caffeine can partially restore diminished NAD availability, increasing NAD alone may not be sufficient to boost or restore energy metabolism in brain aging or alter aberrant energy management in LOAD. Nicotinamide riboside might still be of value in combination with other agents in preventive or therapeutic intervention strategies to address the aging process or age‐associated dementia.     

The phospho-docking protein 14-3-3 regulates microtubule-associated proteins in oocytes including the chromosomal passenger Borealin

Global regulation of spindle-associated proteins is crucial in oocytes due to the absence of centrosomes and their very large cytoplasmic volume, but little is known about how this is achieved beyond involvement of the Ran-importin pathway. We previously uncovered a novel regulatory mechanism in Drosophila oocytes, in which the phospho-docking protein 14-3-3 suppresses microtubule binding of Kinesin-14/Ncd away from chromosomes. Here we report systematic identification of microtubule-associated proteins regulated by 14-3-3 from Drosophila oocytes. Proteins from ovary extract were co-sedimented with microtubules in the presence or absence of a 14-3-3 inhibitor. Through quantitative mass-spectrometry, we identified proteins or complexes whose ability to bind microtubules is suppressed by 14-3-3, including the chromosomal passenger complex (CPC), the centralspindlin complex and Kinesin-14/Ncd. We showed that 14-3-3 binds to the disordered region of Borealin, and this binding is regulated differentially by two phosphorylations on Borealin. Mutations at these two phospho-sites compromised normal Borealin localisation and centromere bi-orientation in oocytes, showing that phospho-regulation of 14-3-3 binding is important for Borealin localisation and function.     

Identification of tissue-specific microRNAs from mouse

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a new class of noncoding RNAs, which are encoded as short inverted repeats in the genomes of invertebrates and vertebrates. It is believed that miRNAs are modulators of target mRNA translation and stability, although most target mRNAs remain to be identified. Here we describe the identification of 34 novel miRNAs by tissue-specific cloning of approximately 21-nucleotide RNAs from mouse. Almost all identified miRNAs are conserved in the human genome and are also frequently found in nonmammalian vertebrate genomes, such as pufferfish. In heart, liver, or brain, it is found that a single, tissue-specifically expressed miRNA dominates the population of expressed miRNAs and suggests a role for these miRNAs in tissue specification or cell lineage decisions. Finally, a miRNA was identified that appears to be the fruitfly and mammalian ortholog of C. elegans lin-4 stRNA.     

Cultural transmission of ethnobotanical knowledge in a rural community of northwestern Patagonia, Argentina

In the present study we analyzed medicinal and edible plant utilization in Cuyin Manzano, a small rural population located near the Andean forests of Argentina. We also studied where and when plant knowledge was learned, who the principal transmitters were, and how people were taught. The participants were interviewed individually and at random, by means of a semi-structured questionnaire. Interviews were carried out in 16 families in order to examine the present use of wild plants. The inhabitants of Cuyin Manzano cited 87 plants: 63 medicinal and 24 edible species. They mentioned on average 31 ± 10 species per person. Similar patterns of plant use were found in young and old people alike, irrespective of gender. Learning about useful plants took place at an early age as a result of family tradition. This local knowledge is acquired and taught “by doing,” and is mostly transmitted vertically through family dissemination. Wild plant learning implies the acquisition of plants' physical and functional features as well as their environmental characteristics.     

Evolved distal tail carbohydrate binding modules of Lactobacillus phage J‐1: a novel type of anti‐receptor widespread among lactic acid bacteria phages

Bacteriophage replication requires specific host‐recognition. Some siphophages harbour a large complex, the baseplate, at the tip of their non‐contractile tail. This baseplate holds receptor binding proteins (RBPs) that can recognize the host cell‐wall polysaccharide (CWPS) and specifically attach the phage to its host. While most phages possess a dedicated RBP, the phage J‐1 that infects Lactobacillus casei seemed to lack one. It has been shown that the phage J‐1 distal tail protein (Dit) plays a role in host recognition and that its sequence comprises two inserted modules compared with ‘classical’ Dits. The first insertion is similar to carbohydrate‐binding modules (CBMs), whereas the second insertion remains undocumented. Here, we determined the structure of the second insertion and found it also similar to several CBMs. Expressed insertion CBM2, but not CBM1, binds to L. casei cells and neutralize phage attachment to the bacterial cell wall and the isolated and purified CWPS of L. casei BL23 prevents CBM2 attachment to the host. Electron microscopy single particle reconstruction of the J‐1 virion baseplate revealed that CBM2 is projected at the periphery of Dit to optimally bind the CWPS receptor. Taken together, these results identify J‐1 evolved Dit as the phage RBP.     

Purification, characterization and antifungal properties of a lipid-transfer protein from sunflower (Helianthus annuus) seeds

An antifungal protein from Helianthus annuus L. seeds (Ha-AP10) has been purified to homogeneity and characterized. Ha-AP10 purification was performed by gel filtration, cation exchange chromatography and reverse phase HPLC. Its molecular mass was estimated to be 10 kDa and western blot analyses suggest that it has an extracellular location. The N-terminal sequence of Ha-AP10 showed strong homology to some plant lipid-transfer proteins (LTPs). Antifungal tests have demonstrated that Ha-AP10 exerts a fungistatic effect. It completely inhibits the germination of spores of the fungal pathogen Fusarium solani f. sp. eumartii at a concentration of 40 μg ml⁻¹ and produces a 50% growth inhibition at 6.5 μg ml⁻¹ (0.65 μ M ). These data place Ha-AP10 among the most potent antifungal LTPs described so far.     

Candidiasis: Predisposing Factors,Prevention, Diagnosis and Alternative Treatment

Candidiasis is the most common opportunistic yeast infection. Candida species and other microorganisms are involved in this complicated fungal infection, but Candida albicans continues to be the most prevalent. In the past two decades, it has been observed an abnormal overgrowth in the gastrointestinal, urinary and respiratory tracts, not only in immunocompromised patients, but also related to nosocomial infections and even in healthy individuals. There is a widely variety of causal factors that contribute to yeast infection which means that candidiasis is a good example of a multifactorial syndrome. Due to rapid increase in the incidence in these infections, this is the subject of numerous studies. Recently, the focus of attention is the treatment and, above all, the prevention of those complications. The diagnosis of candidiasis could become quite complicated. Prevention is the most effective “treatment,” much more than eradication of the yeast with antifungal agents. There are several aspects to consider in the daily routine that can provide a strength protection. However, a therapeutic approach is necessary when the infection is established, and therefore, other alternatives should be explored. This review provides an overview on predisposition factors, prevention and diagnosis of candidiasis, highlighting alternative approaches for candidiasis treatment.